8 string lap steel string spacing

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Bob Gleason
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Joined: Fri Jun 01, 2012 1:45 pm

8 string lap steel string spacing

Post by Bob Gleason »

I make some 6 string lap steels and want to try an 8. Lots of different string spacings on these creatures. If you have one, would appreciate knowing the outside string spacing at the nut and bridge. Some converge at the nut and some are parallel. If you have an opinion on that, let me know too. Thanks in advance.--Bob
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Peter Wilcox
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Location: Northeastern California

Re: 8 string lap steel string spacing

Post by Peter Wilcox »

I made this one several years ago. I made the string spacing 3/8" like my dobro (at the bridge), so the total is 2 5/8" (21/8) both at the bridge and the nut. Unfortunately I've never learned to play it, as the mental confusion of going from 6 to 8 strings was even worse than going from 4 to 5 strings on bass (which I was able to accomplish.) :D
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Bob Gleason
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Re: 8 string lap steel string spacing

Post by Bob Gleason »

Peter-Thanks! I think I'll be in about the same predicament with 8 strings, but it looks worth a try. Enjoy your music.--Bob
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Peter Wilcox
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Location: Northeastern California

Re: 8 string lap steel string spacing

Post by Peter Wilcox »

Better late than never? I found this PDF in my files (I'm building lap steels now), but it was a bitch finding this link for it as the site has been D/C'd.

http://web.archive.org/web/201604060921 ... gChart.pdf

It was a great site - here's what's archived of it.

http://web.archive.org/web/201603281931 ... index.html

And explanation:

https://www.banjohangout.org/blog/8180
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David King
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Re: 8 string lap steel string spacing

Post by David King »

I'll check my notes as well. We used the Hipshot trilogy tailpiece which was a brilliant addition for changing keys on the fly however I think they are only available for 6 string.
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